MLB Rumors

Returning from a bruised hip, Royals catcher Salvador Perez went 3 for 4 with an RBI before being removed for a pinch runner in the ninth inning of his team's 5-4 loss to the Angels Thursday. It was Perez's eighth multi-hit game in May, raising his season line to .320/.336/.422 with one home runs in 152 plate appearances.

Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo extended his hitting streak to eight games Thursday, going 2 for 4 and hitting his 11th home run of the season in his team's 5-4 win over the Royals.

While on this hot stretch, Trumbo's line has climbed to .284/.339/.532 in 209 plate appearances this season. He's one of only two Angels with a slugging percentage over .500 this season.

Angels left fielder Mike Trout hit his 10th home run of the season Thursday, a mammoth shot off former Angel Ervin Santana in the first inning of his team's 5-4 win. Trout finished the day 2 for 4 with two runs scored and also stole his 10th base of the season, making him the first player with 10 home runs and 10 steals in 2013.

Trout has come through big in his last three games, going 8 for 13 with two home runs, six runs scored, six RBI and two stolen bases. He's hitting .302/.378/.582 in 217 plate appearances this year.

Tigers closer Jose Valverde retired the Twins in order in the ninth inning Tuesday to earn his fifth save. He struck out two and lowered his ERA to 0.82 through 11 innings.

Valverde has been a stabilizing force at the back end of the bullpen since joining the team in late April.

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello struggled through five innings against the Twins Thursday, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two in a no-decision.

Porcello had been on a roll in his last four starts, but the poor outing Thursday raised his ERA to 6.28. It was also the first time in five starts that he struck out fewer than five batters. He next faces the Pirates at home Tuesday.

Twins pitcher Scott Diamond fell an out short of a quality start Thursday against the Tigers, allowing three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking one. He surrendered nine hits in the no-decision.

Diamond hasn't had a quality start in any of his last three games. His next chance is against the Brewers in Milwaukee Tuesday.

Royals starting pitcher Ervin Santana took on his old team, the Angels, Thursday night and surrendered four home runs while allowing five earend runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings.  Santana (3-4) struck out eight and walked none in the 5-4 loss.

Home runs were a problem for Santana with the Angels last season, when he allowed 39 in 30 starts. He had allowed six homers in eight starts heading into Thursday. The poor performance gives Santana a 3.14 ERA going into a matchup against the Cardinals Tuesday.

Angels closer Ernesto Frieri was removed from a save opportunity Thursday after surrendering two earned runs on three hits and a walk while getting just two outs. Robert Coello came in to get the final out, saving Frieri from a blown save.

It was Frieri's third-straight appearance allowing at least one earned run, though he eraned saves in each of his previous two games.

Angels reliever Robert Coello earned the first save of his career by getting the final out of a 5-4 win over the Royals Thursday. Regular closer Ernesto Frieri surrendered two earned runs on three hits and a walk before being pulled in favor of Coello.

Coello has not allowed an earned run in 7 1/3 innings this season.

Angels starting pitcher Joe Blanton earned his first win Thursday after holding the Royals to two earned runs on seven hits and no walks in 6 1/3 innings. Blanton (1-7) struck out one. Six relievers combined to get the final eight outs of the game, with none pitching a full inning.

Blanton's rotation spot will be in jeopardy when Tommy Hanson returns, but Thursday's start was a good way to staunch the bleeding after allowing 23 hits in nine innings over his previous two starts. He'll face the Dodgers Tuesday with a 6.19 ERA.